Richard Pearce
The crème de la crème of road running descended on Gqeberha for the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES race on Sunday.
Local elite runners such as Melikhaya Frans and Precious Mashele promised to give Kenya's Daniel Ebenyo and Diana Chesang, as well as competitors from Uganda and Lesotho, a run for their money.
Speaking at City Hall on Friday, Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Mayor, Mkhuseli Jack, said they were ready to host the famous race, which he said would also put the City on the international stage.
He said it was a good opportunity to showcase what the City has to offer to the rest of the world.
The founder of the series, Michael Meyer, said he is extremely privileged to host the race in the friendly city and that he hoped that the long list of elite athletes taking part could inspire the children of Zwide, Motherwell, and Uitenhage to be heroes themselves.
While, Absa’a Pholushi Malesa, says they were excited and looking forward to a fun-filled 10k race, he encouraged residents to visit the Boardwalk to run on the treadmill to raise funds for charity.
During the press, briefing the athletes also gave their outlook for the race, with Gqeberha’s Frans saying that "his body had responded well to the training."
Frans also took time to say that he was honoured to run alongside his idol, Stephen Mokoka.
Meanwhile, Ebenyo says he feels at home every time he runs in South Africa and was hoping for a personal best time.
Lebo Phalala said she should have been born in Gqeberha as all her PBs were in the City, "There are no hills here and it feels like I’m running on the track. “
Reach For A Dream Gqeberha and Garden Region and the Animal Anti-Cruelty League Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha were selected as the official charities of the inaugural event.
LISTEN: THE ABSA RUN YOUR CITY SERIES COMES TO GQ!
